Audio By Carbonatix
Oil prices have fallen sharply, and Asian stock markets have risen on hopes of a deal that could bring an end to the US-Israel war with Iran.
On Saturday, US President Donald Trump said an agreement with Tehran had been "largely negotiated", and details would be announced soon, but the following day, he urged his negotiating team not to rush an agreement.
On Monday morning in Asia, the global oil benchmark Brent was down 4.8% to $98.52 (£73.11), while US-traded crude was 5% lower at $91.76.
Trump had previously said the deal would include reopening the key Strait of Hormuz shipping route, without providing further details.
The narrow waterway, through which around a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) usually passes, has been effectively closed since the conflict started on 28 February.
The Nikkei 225 stock index in Japan rose above 65,000 for the first time after gaining 2.9% on hopes that the strait would soon reopen.
Japan, like nearby South Korea, has been particularly affected by the conflict, as it is heavily reliant on energy from the Gulf.
UK and US energy and financial markets are closed on Monday for public holidays.
Trump said on social media on Saturday that he had a "very good call" with the leaders of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and others about a "Memorandum of Understanding pertaining to PEACE".
"An agreement has been largely negotiated, subject to finalisation between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the various other Countries, as listed," Trump said.
"Final aspects and details of the deal are currently being discussed and will be announced shortly."
He also said he had a call on Saturday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, which "went very well".
The president did not give any further details on the deal, but has insisted any agreement would "absolutely" prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
But on Sunday, he said on Truth Social: "Both sides must take their time and get it right. There can be no mistakes!"
Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei earlier told state television that US and Iranian positions had been converging in the last week, but warned that did not mean agreements would be reached on key issues and accused the Americans of "contradictory statements".
Global energy markets have seen big price swings since early March after Iran threatened to attack ships trying to use the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks on the country.
While crude oil prices have fallen sharply today, they remain significantly higher than before the war.
In the lead-up to the conflict, Brent was trading at around $70 a barrel.
Tehran also attacked Israel and US-allied states in the Gulf, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
A ceasefire was agreed in early April, and since then, Washington and Tehran have engaged in talks over a long-term peace deal.
"There is now some light at the end of the tunnel, which will bring some near-term oil price relief," Saul Kavonic, head of energy research at MST Financial.
"But even in the most optimistic scenario from here, oil markets will remain tight through 2027 given the time required to normalise oil flows through the Strait, repair damaged oil facilities, and rebuild global oil stocks that have seen record depletion since the war began," he added.
Latest Stories
-
Freddie Blay alleges Mahama ordered demolition of son’s Polo Beach Club at La Beach
4 minutes -
‘We’ve complied with all the rules’ – NPP assures transparency in national elections
14 minutes -
‘Who is financing all this?’ – Victoria Bright questions networks behind Ghana-linked drug trade
20 minutes -
If we don’t know Baffour Awuah’s charge, there’s a fishing expedition going on – Kofi Bentil
27 minutes -
Parliament questions continued detention of Baffour Awuah by EOCO, demands due process
1 hour -
Baffour Awuah did not report to EOCO voluntarily; an arrest warrant forced him – Theophilius Dzimega
1 hour -
Baffour Awuah case risks looking like a display of state power – Sulemana Braimah
1 hour -
Campaign posters, billboards take over Kumasi as NPP goes to polls
2 hours -
‘I’ve been told I’m also involved’ – John Darko says he’ll cooperate with EOCO if invited over Baffour Awuah case
2 hours -
Follow the evidence, not assumptions, in Baffour Awuah case – Victoria Bright
2 hours -
48-hour detention rule is not an automatic entitlement for EOCO – Victoria Bright
2 hours -
Baffour Awuah’s arrest is a political witch-hunt – Kofi Bentil
2 hours -
MT Asharami Ghana arrives in Tema as government pushes stronger LPG infrastructure
2 hours -
Weweso JHS wins 5th edition of Otumfuo Reading Competition 2026
3 hours -
‘Criminal law can’t turn every poor commercial judgment involving state entity into an offence’ – Victoria Bright
3 hours